Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship
and Loan Repayment Program

The Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship and Loan Repayment program encourages outstanding students and paraprofessionals to become teachers, and assists current teachers in obtaining additional endorsements in teacher shortage subjects. In return for conditional scholarships or loan repayments, participants agree to teach in Washington K-12 public schools, (usually two years of teaching for each year of funding). Funding is available for approximately 100 recipients in 2008-09.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident student of Washington state;
• Plan to complete an approved program leading to a residency teacher certificate or an additional shortage subject endorsement;
• Plan to be employed as a certificated classroom teacher in Washington K-12 public schools;
• Plan to attend an eligible college at least half-time (note: some online programs are ineligible for funding under this program);
• Not be pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in theology; and
• Submit a complete application to us by the
  October 10, 2008 deadline.

A selection committee will consider each applicant's:

• Academic ability;
• Bilingual ability;
• Contributions to school systems;
• Potential to serve as a positive role model for students;
• Length of time until completion of the educational program; and
• Commitment to serve as a Washington public classroom teacher

Applicants pursuing residency teaching certificates or additional endorsements in:  math, science, special education, agricultural education, business and marketing education, family and consumer science education, or technology education, can receive priority in the selection process if they commit to teaching that subject in Washington K-12 public schools.  Special education may be taught at any grade level; other subjects must be taught for 7th grade or higher to receive priority.

Applicants who receive priority during the selection process must teach those subjects in Washington K-12 public schools, or repay the money they received.

Award Amounts

Program awards are received as conditional scholarships or loan repayments.  Awards cannot exceed your tuition and fees OR the full-time resident undergraduate tuition and fees at the University of Washington - whichever is lower.

A participant will receive 50 percent of the full-time benefit for half-time enrollment status, and 75 percent of the full-time benefit for three-quarter time enrollment status.

Future Teachers is a financial aid program. Participants must maintain continuous enrollment (only one term off per school year) in at least half-time status at an eligible institution in 2008-09 to earn program benefits.

How to Apply

There are two parts to the application:

You must complete BOTH PARTS and submit them by the application deadline.

Steps:

1. Please read and follow the instructions at the beginning of the online application (link below).
2. Complete the online application and submit it to us. (You can go in and out of the application as often as you want, until you hit the submit button.) You must hit the SUBMIT button at the end of the application for it to be sent.
3. Print and complete the signature page that appears after you press the submit button.
4. Obtain your required school transcripts.
5. Write and print your personal statements.
6. Get exactly two recommendations.
7. Obtain a copy of your residency teaching certificate, if applicable.
8. Complete the Bilingual Verification Form if you want to receive points for your bilingual ability.

You must mail or deliver your completed signature page, transcripts, statements, recommendations (and other items if required) in ONE ENVELOPE to:

Future Teachers 2008-09 Application

Higher Education Coordinating Board

917 Lakeridge Way SW

PO Box 43430

Olympia, WA  98504-3430

The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 10th.

Faxed materials will not be accepted.

AND

The mailed in or delivered part of your application must be received by the HECB no later than 4:30 pm, October 10, 2008; postmark dates are NOT accepted. 

If any part of your application has not been submitted or is incomplete, you will not be considered for our 2008-09 Future Teachers program.

We will notify all applicants of their status by mail by
November 28, 2008.  

For application questions or more information, contact:

Mary Knutson
Higher Education Coordinating Board

Email: futureteachers@hecb.wa.gov

Phone: 360.753.7845 / Toll free: 1.888.535.0747 (option 2)

** ** **

Note: If you are a teacher serving in a low-income or subject-matter shortage area, you may be eligible for a cancellation or deferment of your federal student loans through a federal program.  For more information, contact: U.S. Department of Education.

Up to $5,000 to Complete Your Bachelor's Degree.
See if you are eligible  

A Safe and Easy Way to Save for College.
Learn more  

Do You Want to Go to College?
Check out our step-by-step guide for middle and high school students